Want to adopt a Chihuahuaor Chihuahuamix ? These dogs are in your area!

Chihuahua Adoption

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What do you need to know before you adopt a Chihuahua? We asked the experts!
 

Chihuahua Rescue Indiana says:

The thing I would most like to say about Chihuahuas is that they are all about respect! You need to be strong pack leader to be an effective Chihuahua guardian. They need to respect you. They are not ornaments; they are canines, with personalities as large as a Rottweiler, and hearts as big as any canine breed. They know no limits, so you, their guardians, have the task, the honor, the privilege of keeping them safe and happy.  It's not a small task because these tiny titans will take on any challenge, they will fiercely guard and protect themselves as well as what they consider to be "theirs". They are amazing. They are misunderstood, and they are in need of love and patience. In return you get immense love and loyalty.

In practical terms, not really a toddler's dog, as many are too fragile and to protect themselves they can be nippy. Older, respectful children are fine, but make sure their friends are equally respectful. They need good quality food, but not too much, and a fair amount of exercise. The short-haired smooth coat variety are not real happy in cold, wet weather, the long-haired Chihuahuas do better with that.

They are tremendous pets who, like most canines, thrive on affection, discipline, and decent shelter, BUT most of all love. Good care is a must, of course, but I think that you get tremendous charge from a small package with the Chihuahua and Chihuahua-cross-breed pets. Please remember to always spay and neuter, nothing's cuter! Chihuahuas are the 2nd most surrendered and euthanized breed!

Canadian Chihuahua Rescue & Transport says:

We want people to understand that just because Chihuahuas are small, that doesn't mean they have fewer needs than any other dog. Like all dogs, be they 20-pound terriers or 125-pound Great Danes, Chihuahuas require a great deal of care.

We expect our adopters to provide safe and loving homes, consistent training, frequent and lengthy walks and regular play time. Letting your Chi run around your apartment living room is not considered 'regular and daily exercise.' Chihuahuas need annual checkups with a trusted veterinarian, quality pet food (commercial or home made), and healthy treats as all dogs do, regardless of breed.

A Chihuahua's size doesn't decrease your commitment to them and that is a very important message.

Recycled Ruffs Chihuahua Rescue says:

I would like potential owners of this breed to realize that they require a lot of attention, more so then other breeds. They are loyal and devoted little dogs. They need regular walks and training so you can own a well-behaved, quiet, and polite Chihuahua. They need constant socialization; due to their small size, a lot of things seem scary in our big world. If you are a clean freak, the Chihuahua may not be your first choice because they can take months to years to housebreak. If you want a good family dog, I would look at the ages of your children. Older children are best for these tiny dogs. Chihuahuas are not good "kid dogs" unless they have been raised and socialized with them. Children can and have severely injured Chihuahuas. They are not fragile dogs like some believe but they are not built to be dropped or sat on. They are the most intelligent of the toy breeds, so please commit to obedience training! Also, there is no such thing as a "tea cup" Chihuahua! Their breed standard is 2-6 lbs. They are the smallest breed of dog. If you can devote your time and life (they live as long as 17-20 years), they will do anything for you and live life just to sit in your lap and love you deeply. In my opinion they are THE MOST loyal breed of dog! I have trained/owned several different breeds and Chihuahuas are VERY special dogs!

Chihuahua Rescue Midwest says:

This particular breed since it is so small does not do well with small children (toddlers). They do not like the fast movement of small children. Each dogs is different and has a unique personality. Once they bond they never want to leave your side. They are sometimes difficult dogs to housebreak and they do not like the cold weather, rain or snow.

 

bubbles

Find a Chihuahua available near you!

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More about the Chihuahua

Thinking about adopting a Chihuahua puppy? Here are three reasons to adopt an adult instead:

1. You have kids.

Like most people, you’ve probably heard time and again that if you have kids, you should adopt a Chihuahua puppy (or, gasp! find a Chihuahua puppy for sale). The rationale is that an adult shelter dog is an unknown quantity, so buying or adopting a Chihuahua puppy is safer. Actually, the opposite is closer to the truth. Puppies are not usually a great choice with kids; they have very limited control over their biting/mouthing impulses, and when you mix that with lots of energy and unbelievably sharp little teeth, it’s a recipe for your small fry to be in tears.  Puppies are tiny chewing machines and can destroy a favorite stuffed animal or security blanket in short order.  Adult dogs, on the other hand, are generally calmer, and their personalities are already fully developed and on display.  When you meet an adult dog, you can see how they are with kids and with other animals.  This takes the guesswork out of wondering how a puppy will turn out as a full-grown dog.

2.  You value your possessions.

Puppies teethe.  They have a biological need to chew, they want to play constantly, and they can’t discriminate between appropriate chew toys and, say, your favorite pair of Manolos.  Puppies eventually can be trained out of this behavior, of course, and there are exceptions to every rule, but generally speaking, an adult Chihuahua (or any adult dog) is much less likely to shred your drapes like coleslaw or function as a “helpful” canine document shredder.

3.  You work, or otherwise leave the house.

Pop quiz: how often does a two-month-old puppy need to be taken out to do his business during the day?  A) every six hours; B) every eight hours; or C) every two hours?

If you answered B, or even A, you’re an eternal optimist! The correct answer, though, is C: every two hours. When you’re housetraining a puppy, the general rule of thumb is that they can hold their bladder one hour for each month they’ve been alive (up to a max of about eight to ten hours).  So a three-month-old Chihuahua puppy needs to go outside every three hours, a four-month-old needs to go every four hours, and so on.  If you’re retired, or you work from home, or you’re taking the puppy to work with you or to a doggy daycare (make sure your puppy is up-to-date on all vaccines before considering that last option), great! But if you’re planning on leaving your dog alone during your workday, you’ll definitely want to adopt a full-grown dog, ideally from a Chihuahua rescue that can help you find the right dog for your lifestyle.

Let’s bust these myths about adopting a Chihuahua

Time to get real: when we ask people what reservations they have about Chihuahua adoption, we hear the same things over and over again.  If you’re operating under any of these mistaken beliefs, you just might be missing out on meeting the best friend you’ll ever have.   So it’s time for us to set the record straight:

  • You CAN find purebred Chihuahuas for adoption in an animal shelter or rescue group.
  • Chihuahuas and Chihuahua puppies for adoption are NOT in any way inferior to or different from those for sale.
  • The dogs in the shelter are NOT there because they’re bad dogs.
  • If you want a puppy, you DON’T have to buy a Chihuahua puppy.  Chihuahua puppies ARE available for adoption.
  • If you have children, adopting a dog is likely the SAFEST option.

Here’s the truth: you absolutely can find a Chihuahua, even a Chihuahua puppy, for adoption in an animal shelter or rescue group.  And they don’t end up there because they’re bad dogs.  In fact, often the only difference between the dog in the shelter and the one on your couch is a bit of bad luck.  Think about it: let’s say you buy a Chihuahua puppy for sale by a breeder. Your new dog is great; you immediately enroll the two of you in obedience classes, and soon your best pal is housebroken and well trained. But what would happen to your wonderful Chihuahua if, tragically, something happened to you? What if he escaped from your home and ran away? Your best pal would very likely end up in an animal shelter.  The lucky person who adopts your Chihuahua would be getting a great dog!  Animal shelters are filled with wonderful, healthy, well-behaved dogs who have been in homes before, but whose owners have fallen on hard times.  Many of them are housebroken and trained.  Chihuahua rescue organizations often care for their adoptable dogs in foster homes, which means their foster families will be able to tell you if the Chihuahua you want to adopt is good with other animals or kids, and if he or she is housebroken and knows any basic commands. As you can see, adopting from a rescue organization is likely the very safest way for people with children to add a new Chihuahua to their family!

Chihuahua Rescue Organizations

Below you'll find many Chihuahua focused rescue organizations. This is not a complete list! If you are a Chihuahua focused rescue and would like to be included, please sign up for an Adopt-a-Pet.com account here, then submit your request using the Contact Us link after you login to your Adopt-a-Pet.com rescue or shelter account. Thank you!

  • Arizona Chihuahua Rescue - Mesa AZ
  • Chihuahua Relief & Rescue Society - Coquitlam BC
  • Foundation for the Care of Indigent Animals - Spring Valley CA
  • OC Chihuahua Rescue - Huntington Beach CA
  • Santa Barbara Chihuahua Rescue - Santa Barbara CA
  • Chihuahua Rescue & Transport (CRT) - California - CA
  • Chihuahua and Small Breed Rescue - Denver CO
  • Northwest Florida & South Alabama Poodle Rescue - Opp AL
  • Sita's Dog Sanctuary and Safe Haven Chihuahua Rescue - Yorkville IL
  • Chihuahua Rescue USA - Indiana - CROWN POINT IN
  • Clinton County Humane Society - Frankfort IN
  • Chihuahua Rescue, USA - Louisville KY
  • Chihuahua Cottage - Taylorsville KY
  • Puppy Love Rescue, Inc. - Brunswick ME
  • Little Angels - Bel Air MD
  • Yankee Chihuahua Rescue - Westbrook ME
  • Peanut's Legacy Chihuahua Rescue - Norton Shores MI
  • Second Chance Chihuahua Rescue - Nixa MO
  • Chi's Please Chihuahua Rescue - Wingate NC
  • Crickets House Chihuahua And Toy Breed Rescue - Angier NC
  • Chihuahua Club of Mid-Jersey - Toms River NJ
  • Chihuahua Cottage (North) - West Babylon NY
  • The Middletown Humane Society - Middletown NY
  • Chihuahua Rescue & Transport - Tuttle OK
  • Bev's Babe's Rescue - Chouteau OK
  • Border Collie & Chihuahua Rescue - Estacada OR
  • Rescue A Tiny Treasure - Sparta TN
  • Heaven Sent Chihuahua Rescue-Virginia - Centreville VA
  • Cold Nose Warm Heart Chihuahua Rescue - Fairfax VA

 

Breed Photo

Rescues and shelters near you

Dogingham Palace Rescue/Ashburn
Ashburn, VA

FOHA - Dogs
Aldie, VA

Virginia German Shepherd Rescue
Sterling, VA

Admiral's Advocacy
Herndon, VA

Blue Ridge Border Collie Rescue
Herndon, VA

SCMR - VA
Herndon, VA

Humane Society of Loudoun County
Leesburg, VA

Forget-Me-Not NoVA
Leesburg, VA

Open Hearts Rescue
Leesburg, VA

Rock City Rescue - VA chapter
Leesburg, VA

New Love Animal Rescue
Herndon, VA

New Rattitude - Maryland
Poolesville, MD

Friends Of Homeless Animals - Cats
Aldie, VA

Love Shack Dog Rescue
Aldie, VA

NBRAN Virginia
Reston, VA

Akita Rescue Mid-Atlantic Coast, Inc.
Silver Spring, MD

Dogingham Palace Rescue/Great Falls
Great Falls, VA

A Forever Home Rescue Foundation
Chantilly, VA

Collie Rescue, Inc.
Chantilly, VA

Blue Ridge Great Pyrenees Rescue & Education
Fairfax, VA

Kim's Urban Hounds Rescue - Fairfax
Fairfax, VA

Kim's Urban Hounds Rescue -Fredericksburg
Fairfax, VA

NOVA Pets Alive!
Fairfax, VA

Tails of the Unwanted - Fairfax
Fairfax, VA

Healing Hearts Animal Rescue Group
Centreville, VA

Home At Last Sanctuary, Inc
Potomac, MD

Little Buddies Adoption and Humane Society
Centreville, VA

Fur-Ever Paws Dog Rescue - Boyds MD
Boyds, MD

Loudoun County Animal Services
Waterford, VA

Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust
Centreville, VA

Annies Orphans
Gaithersburg, MD

No More Sad Eyes Rescue
Oakton, VA

Bourbon County Rescue
Germantown, MD

Chasing Colt Animal Rescue
Catharpin, VA

Independent Animal Rescue
Germantown, MD

Rescue Without Borders- Germantown MD
Germantown, MD

Sweetheart Sanctuary
Vienna, VA

United Maltese Rescue
Germantown, MD

Worthy Dog Rescue
Vienna, VA

Loudoun SPCA
Middleburg, VA

Middleburg Humane Foundation
Middleburg, VA

Wolf Trap Animal Rescue
MCLEAN, VA

Nova Rottweiler Rescue
Germantown, MD

PetConnect Rescue
Potomac, MD

Dewey Animals, Inc.
Centreville, VA

Lab Rescue LRCP - Purcellville VA
Purcellville, VA

DC Dogos, Inc. - VA
Vienna, VA

Mutt Love Rescue
Fairfax, VA

American Lhasa Apso Club Rescue - Northwest Region
Gaithersburg, MD

City of Fairfax Animal Shelter
Fairfax, VA

Fairfax County Animal Shelter
Fairfax, VA

MIRRAGL
Fairfax, VA

The Commonwealth Humane Society
Fairfax, VA

The Humane Society of Fairfax County
Fairfax, VA

The Humane Society of Fairfax County 2
Fairfax, VA

Whitney Foundation
Fairfax, VA

Gentle Creatures
Rockville, MD

Hedgesville Hounds
Rockville, MD

K-9 Lifesavers
Rockville, MD

Montgomery County Humane Society
Rockville, MD

Chesapeake Area Alaskan Malamute Protection, formerly Potomac Valley AMR
Virginia, Maryland, DC, MD

GROWL - MD
Gaithersburg, MD

Sheltie Haven Sheltie Rescue, Inc.
Adamstown, MD

Dachshund Rescue of North America Inc.
Manassas, VA

Westie Rescue MidAtlantic
Dunn Loring, VA

Montgomery County SPCA
Gaithersburg, MD

Pets Bring Joy
Fairfax, VA

United Yorkie Rescue - VA
Fairfax, VA

United Yorkie Rescue - VA- Fairfax
Fairfax, VA

Friends Of Montgomery County Animals
Germantown, MD

BB&G Pomeranian Rescue
Lovettsville, VA

Blue Ridge Border Collie Rescue
Mclean, VA

Jasmine's House, Inc. - MD Chapter
Clarksburg, MD

Band for Animal
Fairfax, VA

Appalachian Great Pyrenees Rescue
Clifton, VA

Lab Rescue LRCP - Frederick MD
Buckeystown, MD

One Planet Rescue - MD chapter
Rockville, MD

Mid-Atlantic Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue Operation
Bethesda, MD

Blue Ridge Doberman Rescue
Bluemont, VA

Key to Lion's Heart Rescue
Derwood, MD

Promises Animal Rescue, Inc
Gainesville, VA

Empty Shelter Project
Manassas, VA

Bull Terrier Rescue of Virginia (BTRVA)
Manassas, VA

Friends for Animals
Manassas, VA

Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue, Virginia Chapter
Manassas, VA

Best DAWG Rescue Inc.
Bethesda, MD

Lab Rescue LRCP - Rockville MD
Rockville, MD

Maryland Bichon Frise Rescue
Rockville, MD

DC Area Weimaraner Rescue
Manassas Park, VA

Doberman Assistance Rescue & Education
Arlington, VA

HART (Homeless Animals Rescue Team)
Fairfax Station, VA

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue
Fairfax Station, VA

Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
Arlington, VA

Allbreed Rescue & Referral Inc
Gaithersburg, MD

Mutts Matter Rescue
Rockville, MD

Bring Home the Brindle Dog Rescue
Ijamsville, MD

Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue Inc. District of Columbia, Virginia
Washington, DC

MerryLea Rescue
Frederick, MD

Operation Paws for Homes - MD Chapter
Frederick, MD

Ambassador Pit Bull Rescue
Bristow, VA

American Maltese Assoc. Rescue--Maryland
Bristow, VA

Reggie's Friends - Arlington
Arlington, VA

Lab Rescue LRCP - Fairfax VA
Fairfax, VA

USNMC Rescue
Jefferson, MD

Grand Dogs Rescue 2
Silver Springs, MD

Chow Chow Rescue of Maryland
Silver Spring, MD

Roxie's Fund, Inc*
Silver Spring, MD

Mid-Atlantic GSP Rescue
Arlington, VA

Dog World Rescue, Inc.
Alexandria, VA

SPCA of Northern Virginia
Arlington, VA

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
Washington, DC

Capitol Canines Animal Rescue
Washington, DC

City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties
Washington, DC

Tails of the Unwanted - Maryland
Silver Spring, MD

Tara's House Animal Rescue, Inc. - Silver Spring Chapter
Silver Spring, MD

Capital Animal Care
Arlington, VA

Rescue Angels, Inc. - Virginia Chapter
Arlington, VA

Rescuzilla - Northern VA, D.C.
Arlington, VA

Caring Hearts Rescue
Springfield, VA

Hope for Donghae Paws(VIRGINIA)
Springfield, VA

Ozark Mutts and Stuff, Inc VA
Springfield, VA

Pups 2 Luv Rescue
Springfield, VA

Purrs, Paws, and Claws - Springfield Chapter
Springfield, VA

To The Rescue Inc.
Springfield, VA

Blackdogs Rescue - Bluemont Foster Group
Bluemont, VA

New Beginnings German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue
Monrovia, MD

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA

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